Barter

/ˈbɑɹ.tɚ/ verb, noun

Definition

To trade goods or services with someone else without using money as exchange.

Etymology

From Old French 'barater' meaning 'to deceive or cheat,' but in English it came to mean direct trade. The connection may be that early traders needed to haggle and debate the fairness of trades.

Kelly Says

Before money was invented, barter was the only way humans traded, and it still works today—ancient Rome actually kept detailed barter exchange rates, and modern businesses still barter services instead of paying cash!

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.